An hour and a half later.
The ox cart stopped under a big willow tree just outside the town.
“You two can get off here. From this road, walk about 100 meters forward, and you’ll reach the supply and marketing cooperative. I’ll be here at noon to pick you up and bring you back. You must stick to the time—if you’re not here at 12:00, I’ll assume you’re returning on your own.”
Grandpa Shen parked the cart and said to the educated youths.
“We understand. Thank you, Grandpa,” they replied.
Just like when they arrived, everyone went their separate ways. Yu Zhaozhao and Liu Ying together, Zhao Nianze and Jiang Yan together, the rest in groups.
“Zhaozhao, where are we going first?” Liu Ying asked.
“I just need to buy a few things. Let’s go to the supply cooperative. What about you?”
“Besides buying things, I need to go to the post office to send a letter to Grandma, to let her know we arrived safely.”
“Alright. Carrying things around would be inconvenient. I’ll go with you to send the letter first, then we can go to the cooperative together.”
“Good.”
In Dayangshu Commune, the post office, supply cooperative, and state-run restaurant were all on the same street. They quickly mailed the letter and then headed to the cooperative.
Before coming, Yu Zhaozhao had exchanged a lot of nationwide vouchers on the black market. Many things could wait until their houses were built, so she chose vouchers with older dates, planning to spend them first.
“Comrade, I’d like a thermos, two pairs of work gloves, a straw hat, two pounds of sponge cake, an enamel basin, an enamel tea cup, a pair of rubber shoes, and a pair of high-waist rain boots, please.”
“Alright, comrade, please wait a moment.”
The clerk began preparing the items.
“Comrade, I want exactly the same things as she just ordered.”
Liu Ying wasn’t sure what was needed for rural life, so as always, when in doubt, she followed someone smarter—just copy them.
“Alright, one moment.”
Two big customers in a row put the clerk in a good mood.
Selling goods was part of the job—if they didn’t sell, it wouldn’t affect their salary—but being publicly criticized for failing a task would be embarrassing.
“Comrades, here are all the items you need. Anything else?”
“Not for now, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
By now it was only about 10:00, leaving two hours before the ox cart returned to the village.
“Zhaozhao, where should we go next?” Liu Ying asked.
Yu Zhaozhao hesitated. If it were just herself, she’d love to visit the black market, but taking Liu Ying along wasn’t convenient. Besides, being new here, she didn’t even know where it was.
“Let’s go to the state-run restaurant. I’ve heard the Northeast-style sweet and sour pork is amazing.”
Yu Zhaozhao guessed that Liu Ying probably wasn’t short of money—otherwise she wouldn’t have suggested it.
“Sounds good!”
Liu Ying agreed enthusiastically. She hadn’t had a proper meal in a long time and wanted to improve their day a bit.
“But Zhaozhao, you can’t try to eat more than me this time. I’m treating you.”
“No need. We’ll just buy our own portions.”
“No, that won’t do. On the train, the clerk shared the dishes with you, and you shared half with me. This meal, I insist on treating you.”
“Alright then,” Yu Zhaozhao relented. She could always return the favor next time.
Before the meal time, the restaurant was not crowded. Yu Zhaozhao found a seat, and Liu Ying went to place their order.
“Comrade, we’ll have one order of sweet and sour pork, one order of braised pork, one spicy and sour shredded potato, one egg soup, and two bowls of rice.”
“Little girls, that’s a lot for just two people. Don’t waste it!”
The waitress glanced at the two small girls ordering three dishes and a soup. Food was scarce. Even though they were paying, leftover food was not allowed.
“Don’t worry, sister. If we can’t finish it, we’ll pack it to take away.”
“Alright then.”
The waitress relayed the order to the kitchen.
After paying, Liu Ying returned to the table to wait with Yu Zhaozhao, chatting as they waited.
“Zhaozhao, why did we buy rain boots? It’s summer. We could wear sandals and just splash through water.”
Liu Ying didn’t like rain boots; she rarely wore them. But since Yu Zhaozhao bought them, she followed suit.
“I heard there are leeches in the rice paddies here. They latch onto your legs, and you can’t shake them off. I’m a little afraid of insects, so I thought rain boots would be safer. Walking might be harder in the mud, but it’s better than being bitten.”
“Oh, I see! Zhaozhao, you’re so clever. I’m glad I bought them too—I’m afraid of bugs as well.”
“Right. By the way, I brought a mosquito net from home, so I didn’t buy one. Do you have one?”
“Yes, I brought mine too. When I left home, I didn’t know when I’d return, so I brought all my personal belongings.”
“Good. It doesn’t matter that we have less for now. After the houses are built, we’ll go into town and buy more if needed.”
“Alright.”
Just then, the restaurant door opened. Zhao Nianze and Jiang Yan walked in.
They nodded at each other, acknowledging each other politely.
Yu Zhaozhao looked at Jiang Yan’s back, noting how she laughed and chatted with Zhao Nianze. She admired the female lead’s courage.
In an age when rumors could destroy people, Jiang Yan openly stood beside a male comrade without hiding—she was fearless.
Soon, the dishes arrived. Yu Zhaozhao refocused on eating.
Since there was still plenty of time before Grandpa Shen’s appointed pickup, they ate slowly.
As more customers arrived at the restaurant, the others left for the big willow tree.
When they arrived, Chen Zhaodi was already waiting.
“Well, everyone’s back. Let’s set off early,” Grandpa Shen said. Since everyone who arrived in the morning had returned, there was no reason to wait.
Everyone agreed.
On the way back, the few people said nothing. Chen Zhaodi and Wang Fangfang wore sour expressions the entire way.
Liu Ying nudged Yu Zhaozhao, signaling her to watch Chen Zhaodi.
Yu Zhaozhao shook her head slightly.
Their relationship wasn’t good; there was no need to pry too much.
When they returned to the team leader’s house, everyone else had already gone to work. Only the pregnant Liu Xiaolan was at home.
“Comrades Yu and Liu, when Dad comes home for lunch, he’ll bring your grain back. It’s over there,” Liu Xiaolan said, pointing to a corner of the kitchen.
“Really? Team leader is too kind! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to carry it!” Liu Ying said, excitedly.